Home away from home: Vitoria, where the Socceroos will be based in Brazil.

The city was first identified by the Australian Institute of Sport, who have spent recent years searching for a base for their athletes to prepare for the 2016 Olympics close to the host city.

It is understood that of all of the potential South American sites, Vitoria offered the right mix of elite facilities and civic infrastructure – in addition to a hospitable climate – to host those Olympics athletes looking for a pre-Games training base.

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While Brazilian government structures are notoriously inefficient, the state government offered to cut through any red tape to host Rio's Australian contingent, who would be primarily based at the impressive Centro de Treinamento Esportivo Jaime Navarro de Carvalho.

It is being upgraded and once completed will be able to host, according to the 2016 Games' official website, “artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, badminton, water polo, swimming, synchronised swimming, taekwondo, judo, beach volleyball, basketball, handball and volleyball training”. There are also extensive administrative and medical facilities.

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Even before the Socceroos qualified for the World Cup, the AIS passed on its positive experiences of the site to Football Federation Australia. Since then, the FFA opened negotiations with Espirito Santo government and football officials to host the Socceroos next June.

A deal for them to be based in Vitoria was finalised months ago but couldn't be officially completed until the draw was released and new coach Ange Postecoglou had inspected the city and proposed training base.

Vitoria's secrets: The Socceroos will be staying at the Hotel Ilha do Boi. Photo: Supplied

Postecoglou did so in the lead-up to Saturday morning's draw and, as expected, gave the thumbs-up.

“Ange and other FFA executives visited Vitoria last week, and we're pleased that with some investment we will have first class facilities for our preparations that will leave a legacy for the locals,” FFA chief executive David Gallop said.

The Socceroos will stay at the five-star Hotel Ilha do Boi, which is on an island of the same name, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel, which will be booked in its entirety by the FFA, boasts rooms that normally cost $640 a night.

Thirty minutes' drive from the hotel is where the Socceroos will train, the Estadio Engenheiro Alencar Araripe – which, although rundown, is getting a considerable facelift from the local football association. The venue is the home ground of the reigning state champions, Desportiva Ferroviaria.

It might be where the Socceroos will play at least one of their two final friendlies in the lead-up to their opening World Cup match against Chile in Cuiaba on June 13.

They might also organise a practice match with one of the city's professional clubs, such as Desportiva, Rio Branco or Vitoria-ES.

Gallop said he believed Vitoria made for a natural choice once the draw was finalised.

“Vitoria is a safe and welcoming city with beautiful beaches, and travelling Australian fans will have a good time while following the Socceroos on our World Cup journey,” he said. “Now that we know our game venues Vitoria is the ideal place for us to prepare for the challenges ahead as we get ready for our fourth World Cup.

“We'll work with the local authorities over the next few months to ensure the facilities are world class and Vitoria feels like a slice of Australia. It will be our home for the best part of a month, and we're comfortable it will be a good place for the team and also the Aussie fans who join us in Brazil.”

State governor Renato Casagrande said the city's citizens would embrace their Australian visitors.

“We want to make all Australians feel welcome and safe in our city so they leave Brazil with happy memories from their time in Vitoria,” he said. “It is our honour to help Australia prepare for the World Cup by giving them the best facilities, which will then be left for the people of Vitoria and the state of Espirito Santo to enjoy for many years to come.”

A perfect place to launch campaign

Located on a small island inside a bay an hour’s flight from Rio, Vitoria is renowned as a charming, laid-back city thanks to its numerous beaches and parklands. As capital of the state of Espirito Santo (literally Holy Spirit), Vitoria could almost justifiably be called God’s own country.

The Socceroos will stay at the Hotel Ilha do Boi in the city proper, which has a population of 313,000. The larger municipality is comprised of 34 islands. Despite the seeming luxury and sweeping views, comments posted on TripAdvisor.com were less effusive about the team’s upmarket digs.

‘‘The beds are comfortable and the pillows are great,’’ one reviewer announced. ‘‘Frankly nothing more than a good 3-star option,’’ another opined. Plus, it takes an hour to get a beer. At least the Socceroos will have their minds on the job.